-4-

By the time math class rolled to an end, Shiori was deep asleep, her face nestled into the crook of her elbow. She'd tried to stay awake, but as soon as they started talking numbers, she just...went out.

The bell for lunch chimed cheerfully, and most of their classmates rushed to leave. Within moments, the room was empty save for Sky, Haruhi, the Hitachiin twins and the still slumbering Shiori.

With a grin, Sky spun around in her seat and whispered to her friend, "Haruhi, pass me the camera!"

The brunette wordlessly passed the device, and Sky circled around Shiori's desk to snap a quick picture of the adorably innocent expression on Shiori's face as she slept.

"Is this something you do often?" Hikaru asked, gesturing at the scene.

Sky returned to her desk, sitting on top of it. She wiggled the camera in her hands, "All the time. I love photography. Especially when I can catch embarrassing pictures of Shiori."

She started looking through the photos saved on the camera, showing the twins the picture she'd just taken of Shiori.

Sky snickered, "She looks so cute in this one."

The twins shared a look before glancing at the camera, faces already arranged into an expression of disinterest. They both paused, however, as they stared at the photo. The girl on the camera screen bore no resemblance to the deadpan nightmare they had met yesterday.

In fact, she actually was kinda cute...

Both twins looked away, frowning. They were not going to agree with her. Or mention that the photo was cute. Just...no.

"Haruhi and I took another one of her yesterday after school when Ranka-san came home and helped me dress her up...poor Shi-chan was mortified...here it is! Tada!"

Compelled by an unknown force, both boys looked down at the screen. The image depicted Haruhi's father shoving Shiori towards the photographer. Shiori's eyes were wide with surprise and she was blushing in embarrassment. Her hair was still in the mermaid braid she'd left the school with, and she wore a bright pink dress decorated in ribbons and hearts.

Having only known Shiori for a single day, it was safe to say it was something she'd never willingly wear.

The twins didn't recognize the dress, and figured it was from some cheap company not worth the recognition. It looked horrible.

But somehow...Shiori pulled it off. Like when parents dress up their baby in horrible clashing outfits, but the kid pulls it off because they're cute enough to get away with it.

They were about to comment on how hideous the dress was, when they noticed something else- The picture was really good.

Sky flicked to another picture of Shiori, dressed in her middle school uniform, in a library of some sort. She was standing on one foot, on the tips of her toes, reaching for a book just out of her reach. Sunlight poured into the room from a window, bathing Shiori in warm sunlight. As it hit her hair, it lit up the hidden brown and red highlights among the black tresses. Her face was turned towards the camera, offering a warm smile that filled her dark eyes with light.

Again, it was hard comparing the photo to the real thing.

And again, the picture was...really good. Despite the poor quality of the camera.

Another picture, this time of Shiori in another pink dress with a little tiara on her head and what looked like a sparkly wand in her hand. She was giving the camera a familiar deadpan stare. A boy, who looked a great deal like Shiori, was dressed in a cheap dragon costume and was clinging to her with his arms wrapped around her stomach. Unlike Shiori, he was grinning happily at the camera.

"Who's the kid?" Kaoru asked. He looked a lot like Shiori, and the twins were pretty sure they'd heard someone mention her having a younger brother.

"Oh, that's Tadashi, Shiori's younger brother. He's in middle school right now. Their mom, Takara, likes to sign them up for community plays in our neighbourhood. I saw Shiori in that dress and just had to take a picture!"

"She looks-"

"-like a Princess."

The twins shared a look, remembering just how much Shiori and Sky hated being called princesses. It was hilarious seeing one of them dressed like that.

"Yeah...Takara made her take the lead female role. Shi-chan wasn't pleased. She hates acting, but Takara really wants to have a famous mini-me out there or something...Tadashi is more likely to become the famous kid. He's a lot more like Takara than Shiori is. The only thing she and her mom really have in common is their appearance…" Sky explain as she flipped through more photos before coming to one she was looking for.

"See, they look almost identical!"

The twins stared at the image, showing Takara posing for the camera. She had a mischievous smile on her face, and unlike Shiori who seemed to avoid colour, Takara was wearing a red dress with matching earrings.

It was true though. Takara was like a warmer, adult version of Shiori.

Sky was staring at the photo as well, "Hm...Actually, I'm pretty sure this is the photo she's using for her acting portfolio right now...Or was it the other one in the green top?"

"She uses your photos-"

"For her portfolio?"

"Well...yeah. I guess she likes mine better than some of the photographers she's tried before...and since I live next door, it's not that hard for us to schedule shoots or anything?"

"That's... sort of impressive." Hikaru admitted, not quite sure if he'd meant to say it out loud or not.

A blush flared up on Sky's cheeks, and she quickly changed the picture, focusing her attention on the camera, "It's not that great. Its low quality equipment and I had to edit some things because the lighting wasn't great...I was only messing around when I took those."

Haruhi laughed as she joined Sky in flicking through pictures, "C'mon Sky. You're a fantastic photographer."

"I'm only an amateur, and real photographer would have done a much better job," Sky protested, "and I think I could have done better."

The brunette only shook her head as they kept looking at Sky's old work. The twins loomed behind them, watching photos go by.

Sky suddenly let out a snicker, and was joined by Haruhi. The twins blinked at the photo for a moment, before they realized they were staring at the dramatic photo of Haruhi. Pre-high school Haruhi.

The feminine Haruhi.

She stood under a cherry blossom tree, dressed in her middle school uniform. Her hair was gently blowing in the breeze, and her warm brown eyes narrowed lightly at the camera. She looked beautiful and almost regal in the photo.

Hikaru locked eyes with his brother, silently asking him a question. His twin nodded.

Eventually, Skylar put her camera away, placing it in her bag, which she left on the back of her chair. Since they didn't change classrooms for most of the day (save for elective classes), she didn't have to worry about bringing it to another room after lunch.

Haruhi gently shook Shiori out of her sleep, and she gave a little yawn, before freezing when she realized that the twins were still in the room.

The boys snickered.

"Morning Princess."

"Did you have a pleasant nap?"

Shiori gave them a look cold enough to freeze their blood in response.

Before anyone else decided to make the situation worse, Haruhi grabbed Shiori and Skylar by the hands, dragging her friends from the classroom.

"C'mon you guys. We'll miss lunch if we don't hurry."

Ah. Yes. I'd forgotten how much you value food. Shiori sighed, but happily walked alongside Haruhi.

Sky snickered, Well, Shi-chan, it is important to survival.

True. And lest we forget, food is ranked ahead of boys… At this Shiori's eyes slid to glance back at the twins.

The boys both walked a step behind them, frowning at how Haruhi was dragging Sky and Shiori. They liked it better when she walked between them, so they could wrap their arms around her as they walked.

A smirk curled Shiori's lip. It served them right. If they weren't so hostile all the time, Shiori would have been more willing to feel bad for them...probably.

The cafeteria was packed as usual. The aroma of gourmet foods filled the air as students lined up, spending what seemed to Haruhi like a small fortune on their lunches.

Ignoring the line ups, the three girls settled down at the same table as Tamaki and the rest of the Club. Despite being able to afford the expensive foods sold in the cafeteria, both Sky and Shiori had both brought their own lunches. Old habits die hard, after all.

"Sky-chan! Haru-chan! Shiori-chan!" Honey greeted the trio.

"Haruhi! Why are you still with these ruffians?" Tamaki whined, but Shiori got the distinct feeling that Tamaki wasn't trying to be vicious like the twins would have. He meant it in an...almost joking manner.

For that reason...there would be no retribution on her part for that comment.

"Tama-chan! Don't call Shi-chan and Sky-chan ruffians...me, Usa-chan and Takashi think they're really nice!" The older boy scolded the second year student.

Beside the small blond, his towering cousin nodded once, firmly showing his agreement.

"Aw, thanks Honey-sempai, Handsome!" Skylar cooed.

As the twins arrived at the table with their lunches, conversation began to build as the group ate their lunch.

The Hosts witnessed a strange ritual Shiori and Sky seemed to have, where they reached into one another's lunches to take the things they wanted. After a small moment of hesitation, Haruhi reached out and stole something out of Shiori's lunch, and the raven retaliated by using her chopsticks to steal something from the bento box Haruhi had made for herself.

Tamaki began blathering about how 'the vile she-demon was stealing the food that precious Haruhi slaved to make for hours', and everyone was suitably distracted as they watched him run around the room, dramatically twirling and posing to get his point across.

During this display, the trio of girls continued to eat, content to have a quiet discussion.

"So, Haruhi...Yesterday you mentioned something about a black magic club?" Shiori asked quietly, her dark eyes watching Tamaki with a dead expression.

"Hm? Oh yeah...Well, if you want to join them or talk to their president, you can come to the Host club meeting after school today, since their club room is attached to ours, or…" The brunette paused and looked around her room, "Actually, I think he and the rest of the club are just over there."

Haruhi gestured to a corner of the room, where a thick black mist that seemed to be ominously spreading out. The mist centered around a small group of people dressed in black hoods, and the rest of the student body seemed to be avoiding them like the plague.

"Ah. Thanks Haruhi!" Shiori said, grinning cheerfully as she stood up, "I'll be back in a little bit!"

There was a light little bounce to her step as she walked past Tamaki, who froze mid-spin at the sight. The Hosts all watched with confused expressions as the quietest of Haruhi's 'old friends' made her way over to the other side of the cafeteria.

Tamaki's eyes narrowed as she stopped in front of the Black Magic club. It was even worse than he had feared. Clearly, 'Skylar' and 'Shiori' had been summoned by Nekozawa to curse the club, and now Shiori was reporting back to him!

Together with the twins, the King of the Host Club stealthily made his way closer, to listen in.

"Hello. My name is Shiori Hirano...I was wondering if I could speak to your leader?"

Tamaki's jaw dropped when Shiori began speaking in a confident tone, even going as far as to smile politely as she spoke. She smiled!

One cloaked figure stood from the table and approached Shiori, reaching out with a pale hand. Shiori held her own hand out, and (to Tamaki's growing horror) the cloaked figure appeared to kiss her hand.

Tamaki's mind began teeming with possibilities...what if Nekozawa hadn't summoned her...but he actually worked for her!? What if she was some demon queen who set out to make Tamaki's life miserable, first by making Nekozawa curse him...and then by corrupting his one and only daughter?!

"I am the club president, Umehito Nekozawa. A pleasure to meet you," Nekozawa released her hand, internally trying to figure out why she was here.

While there was a possibility she was interested in their club, there was also a chance she was here to poke fun, or play a prank as other students were wont to do. Of course, he had noticed her hanging out with the Host Club...while it was known that their leader wasn't exactly comfortable with the occult, and Umehito was occasionally known to give him a little scare from time to time...it didn't seem likely that her friends were making her play a prank.

He'd known the Hosts were watching, and he hadn't been able to help himself. The look on Suoh's face when he'd kissed Hirano's hand-

Wait...Hirano? As in...Takara Hirano? The actress? Hadn't she played that demon queen in that movie that came out last fall? It had been an impressive performance.

Shiori nodded, tearing Nekozawa from his thoughts, "Thank you. Now, Umehito-sempai...I was wondering if I would be able to join your club?"

Nekozawa blinked. Umehito-sempai? Most people refused to get that personal, and simply referred to him by his last name. It was...strange hearing someone at school use his first name. And she wanted to join his club? She didn't seem annoyed that he'd kissed her hand, or creeped out by his appearance.

"You...want to join the Black Magic Club?"

"Yes...I'm allowed to, aren't I?" Shiori asked, suddenly looking a little worried.

Nekozawa couldn't have that! This was a golden opportunity! Someone actually wanted to join the club...Time to sell this.

"Of course you're allowed to join the club! In fact, new members not only get to participate in dark rituals after school, but they also get to take home their very own cloak and Beelzenef doll!" The Black Magic Club President said, motioning with his own hand puppet.

Shiori's eyes trained on the puppet. Free cat puppet? Awesome cloak? On top of getting to hang out in a dark room, avoid the host club, practice magic and get more information for her books?

"Sign me up!"

As Shiori happily chatted with Nekozawa, pulling a black cloak over the already dark outfit she'd come to school in, Tamaki and the twins were deep in conversation. These were terribly tidings.

"Um...Sempai? Why are you guys talking about exorcising Shiori?"

The three boys rushed over to Haruhi, wrapping their arms around her while attempting to comfort her as Tamaki explain.

"Haruhi, I'm afraid that your friend isn't human! We have evidence that suggests Shiori Hirano is, in fact, a demon from Hell-"

"Really sempai? What kind of evidence?"

Surprisingly it was Kyoya who piped up, but then again, he was known to spur Tamaki's wild plans on.

"Takara Hirano, Shiori's mother, gave an award winning performance in the movie 'Shadow Queen' which was released last fall. In this film, Takara played the role of a demon queen, who rose from hell to enslave all humanity... She won several awards for her acting, and many critics claimed that they genuinely believed she was a demon queen in some parts of the film…"

"Exactly!" Tamaki exclaimed, "See? Her mother was so good at playing a demon because she is one...and by extension, so is her daughter!"

Skylar and Haruhi rolled their eyes, not even bothering to argue with them. Last night, Haruhi had told Sky and Shiori all about the shenanigans the boys got into, and how once Tamaki got started, there was no real stopping him.

The girls started up their conversation again.

"So, looks like Shiori's got her club figured out. I still don't know what I should join," Sky said, frowning.

"You could join the ballet club. You used to be really good at-"

The instant she said it, Haruhi realized her mistake.

Skylar's blue eyes narrowed, and she angrily snapped, "Haruhi! You know that isn't an option! It won't ever happen again!"

The table stopped talking as they all looked towards Sky. The blond girl sighed before standing up.

"I'm heading back to the classroom...I need a second."

As she left the room, she walked past a hooded Shiori, who had been about to sit back at their table. Moving as one, the Host's turned to Haruhi and Shiori for an answer.

The raven sat down where Sky had sat not a minute ago. Like Sky, she let out a heavy sigh, letting her hood fall back to show her frowning face.

"What…"

"Just happened?" The twins asked, being the first to recover from the sudden shift in atmosphere.

Shiori gave them a distrustful look, but spoke anyways, making them all focus on her. She hated speaking to people she didn't fully trust, but she needed to get this across.

"I...imagine S-Sky won't be very...happy with me for telling you this. But...I-if I don't tell...you guys would just snoop more into her personal life...Although I'm sure...Ootori-san already knows." She focused her attention on the sleeves of her cloak, "When Sky was younger she used to take ballet."

"She was really good too. She danced in a school talent show once," Haruhi chimed in.

"Her m-mother really loved it when she got to watch Sky dance. When Sky's parents got divorced, her mother went back to America...b-but Sky...Without her mother there, it wasn't the same anymore. Sky doesn't d-dance anymore...and she doesn't like talking about it e-either," Shiori continued, her eyes moving from one Host to another, "Which is why none of you will mention ballet, yes?"

The Hosts nodded, but Shiori narrowed her eyes at the twins, knowing they weren't nearly as polite as the others. Tamaki was a nice guy and wouldn't want to hurt Sky, neither would Honey-sempai and Mori-sempai...Kyoya likely wouldn't have a reason to bring it up…

The twins?

Shiori was well aware that they didn't like her and Sky.

Lunch finished and the Hosts returned to their classes. Mercifully, the rest of the day passed by in a...timely manner, and before they knew it, the last bell had rung.

Haruhi was instantly dragged off by the twins while Shiori and Sky lingered in the classroom.

"Are you sure you put it in your bag?"

"Yeah!" Sky's voice was tinted with panic as she dumped her bag out on her desk.

"Maybe if fell out?"

"How could it have fallen out, Shiori? I zipped the bag up!"

"It has to be somewhere...maybe you accidently put it in my bag?" Shiori suggested, riffling through her own backpack.

"I can't believe I lost my camera!" Sky moaned.

The pair continue to look through the classroom, searching for Skylar's life- because yes, the camera was her life.

"Look Boss, there's a really pretty photo of Haruhi on this camera!" Hikaru said, sliding up to Tamaki as the other's prepared for today's Hosting hours.

Tamaki snatched the camera from the twin and stared at the camera screen, "Where did you two find this?"

"It's Skylar's camera. There's a bunch of photos of Shiori and Shiori's mother too."

Haruhi, having been walking by with a tea tray froze. Sky's camera? Why did they have that? Sky never let anyone take her camera unless she was with them-

The cellphone Haruhi had been forced to take when she joined the club vibrated in her pocket. Setting the tray down, she answered the incoming call.

"Hello?"

"Hey Haruhi...Sky's freaking out right now. We can't find her camera anywhere." Shiori's voice said, instantly explaining why she was calling, "I don't want to sound like I'm accusing anyone...but earlier she showed her camera to the twins and…"

Haruhi could practically feel Shiori's anger. It was hard to detect in her tone, but Haruhi knew how protective her friend could be. It would be best if she solved this on her own. Shiori didn't need to get arrested again, or anything like that.

"Yeah...they have it here," Haruhi said, already walking up to the trio of trouble makers, "I'll deal with it over here...You tell Sky her camera's safe and sound, and I'll bring it back soon."

"Okidoki!" Shiori said cheerfully before ending the call.

Putting the phone away, Haruhi stared blankly at Tamaki and the twins. After a long moment, the three boys seemed to realize they were being stared at.

"I need that camera." She held her hand out.

Tamaki pouted, "but Haruhi, there's a pretty picture of you on it! Daddy never gets to see cute photos of you-"

"Sempai! I need to bring that camera back to Sky." Haruhi said, her tone leaving no room for joking around, "Sky didn't give them permission to take her camera to the club. Shiori just phoned and told me they're tearing apart the classroom looking for it."

"Aw, c'mon Haruhi-"

"-she won't mind…"

"We're just borrowing it for a little while," the twins offered her matching, innocent smiles.

"You're not borrowing it! You've stolen it!" The angry brunette stomped forward, snatching the camera from Tamaki without looking away from the doppelgangers, "I know you and the girls don't get along yet, but this is taking it too far! That camera is very precious to the three of us, especially to Sky. Her mother bought that for her before she left."

She began walking towards the door, but paused before she left, "We'll talk about what you'll do to apologize to Skylar later."

And with that, Haruhi headed back to the classroom, leaving the Hosts sputtering in confusion, and two boys feeling a mixture of guilt and annoyance.

Haruhi had never gotten that mad at them before.

"Sky!" Haruhi called from the doorway of the classroom. Her face was slightly red and she looked a little out of breath. In her hand, she held out Sky's camera.

The blond girl let out a relieved "Oh my god thank you!" as she ran to hug her friend and take the treasured item from her hands.

Shiori sat on a desk, "So was I right?"

"Yeah...I'm so sorry...I don't know why they're acting like this-"

The raven giggled, "Haruhi, it's obvious why they're acting like this."

Skylar nodded, "It's true. They're jealous we're a part your life they didn't know about, and upset that they have to share you with us."

"Just like we're jealous that we have to share you with them." Shiori smiled, "But unlike them, we're just better at sharing...probably because we didn't grow up spoiled like them."

"They'll get used to us eventually."

"It'll just take time...and in that time, if they don't knock off the teasing and stealing, there may be some...divine retribution." The raven shrugged, a mischievous smile on her face.

"Oh god...not the pranking," Haruhi groaned.

"Sorry Haru-chan!"

"Anyways!" Sky said, clapping her hands together after slipping the camera in her bag, "We need to get together again and bond."

"I vote sleepover!" Shiori declared, hopping to her feet.

"I second vote and nominate Haruhi's house!"

Haruhi sputtered, "Ah- what? Guys, why does it have to be my house?"

"You're dad doesn't have a pushy girlfriend trying to ruin your life."

"And you don't have a little brother who is crushing real hard on one of your friends?"

"But- Wait- who does Tadashi have a crush on-"

"Bye Haruhi!" The girls chimed as they headed for the door. Haruhi followed after them.

She knew she couldn't follow them home, since she had to get back to the club, but that did not mean this discussion was over!

The trio ground to a halt, finding most of the Host Club standing outside the classroom, staring at the three of them. There was a strangely excited look on Tamaki's face, Honey looked curious and cheerful, Mori and Kyoya had blank expressions, and the twins?

They looked down right angry.

Must have heard them talking about the boys being jealous. Oops.

However, as Sky and Shiori waved good bye to the Hosts, they were much too busy planning their sleepover at Haruhi's to care what the twins thought.

After all, Shiori had to fear over, and Sky got to anticipate Shiori's reaction to, the likelihood of the Hosts crashing their sleepover.

And there we have chapter 4 of our story! It looks like the girls and the twins are well on their way to declaring war, we're learning more about Skylar and *sarcastically* yes, Shiori is clearly a demon spawn. it's the only explanation as to why she could possibly not find Tamaki attractive.

MrsAnimeNerd and I would like to thank everyone for their support! Big thanks to the following people for reviewing: summerlily232, Scoobydoolover21 (Guest), and animefreak112097!

A Script in the Making now has 11 Reviews, 22 Favourites and 33 Followers! Please keep showing your support! We love it~!